Unifor supports NDP's new approach to Indigenous relations

Unifor applauds the federal NDP's January 31 announcement to create a Reconciliation portfolio as part of its shadow cabinet shuffle and establish a new relations with Indigenous peoples.

"The NDP's move to bring heighten attention to the plight of Indigenous peoples is one that our union fully supports," said Jerry Dias Unifor National President. “This action should encourage all equity seeking Canadians to petition their elected officials encouraging them to lobby hard for an end to this national tragedy," he added.

The new NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stated the new approach was adopted because the party recognizes the fact that reconciliation must be a co-ordinated and systemic effort.

Unifor has long demanded truth, justice and reconciliation for Indigenous people. Since the founding convention in 2013, the union has sought immediate action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and advocated for an end to end human rights abuses and a restoration of land and economic self-sufficiency to Indigenous peoples.

To add the union’s voice on this issue, Unifor continues to call upon the federal government to take real, measurable actions towards reconciling our colonial past with our future. Unifor calls for action to provide equal funding for on-reserve child welfare systems and end the discrimination against Indigenous children and access to public services. This NDP announcement underscores what is really needed - a new relationship between the federal government and all Indigenous peoples and a deeper commitment by all governments and parties to support the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.